Automatic door-closing device



Nov. 23 1926. 1,608,402 F. H. LARKIN ET AL AUTOMATIC DOOR CLOSING DEVICE Filed Oct. 6, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 1% 1 N VEN TORS ATTORNEY- Nov. 23 1926.

Filed Pct. 6

2 Sheets-Shea 2 ATTORNEY.

Patented Nov. 23, 1926.

UNITED STATES 1,608,402 PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK H. LAB-KIN AND FRANK G. DEAN, OF ALTOONA,KA1\TSAS; SAID LARKIN AS- SIGNOR TO A. A. NAT'IIER, OF FREDONIA, KANSAS.

AUTOMATIC DOOR-CLOSING DEVICE.

Application filed October 6, 1925;

This invention relates to an automatic closing device, and more especially to that class of devices known as door springs or door closing devices.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of a device of this character, wherein a door, gate or swinging window or the like will be automatically closed when swung to open position and when the swinging structure is in closed position it will be sustained tight.

Another object of the invention is the pro vision of a device of this character wherein the construction thereof is novel in form so as to relieve undue strain upon the ordinary hinges of the swinging structure and on the opening of such structure the device will be under tension so as to automatically close the structure, thereby relieving the necessity of the manual closing of the same.

A further object of the invention -is the provision of a device of this character, which is extremely simple in construction, thoroughly reliable and efficient in its purpose, possessing but few parts, which are assembled in an unique manner so as to avoid any possibility of disarrangement or ineffectiveness in the functioning thereof, strong, durable and inexpensive to manufacture and install.

lVith these and other objects in view, the invention consists of the features of construction, the combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter described in detail, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the claims hereunto appended.

In the accompanying drawings 1- Figure 1 is an elevation of a swinging door showing the closing device constructed in accordance with the invention applied thereto, the door being in normal closed position.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary sectional view on the line 22 of Figure 1 looking in the direction of the arrow, the device being shown in full-line when the door is closed and by dotted lines when the door has been opened. 1

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 showing a slight modification of the device.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings Referring to the drawings in detail Adesignates generally the frame of a door which Serial No. 60,913.

swinging windows or the like swinging struc= tures, and will be hereinafter fully described in detail.

The device shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings comprises a substantially V- shaped swinging fulcrum yoke 5, preferably made from. a rod and has the ends 6 and 7 downturned and disposed in vertical axial alignment with each other for swingingly engaging a pair of eye members 8 which are fastened into.the frame A of the door in spaced vertical relation to each other preferably atan intermediate point of the height of the door.

Loosely engaged on this yoke 5 at the bight 9 therein is a slightly curved thrust or push rod or bar 10, the head end 11 of which is flattened, while the tail end thereof is loosely engaged in a guide eye 12 fastened in an extension base board or plate 18 extending laterally from the door frame 8. This head 11 extends or protrudes slightly beyond the pivotal connection thereof with the yoke 5 and linked to the said head 11 is a link member 14 the same being engaged in an eye member 15 carried by the door B as is clearly illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, so that in this manner the said thrust or push bar or rod 10 is linked to the door.

Fastened to the door frame A and suitably connected medially or at an adjacent point to the thrust or push rod or bar 10 is a coiled ret-ractile spring 16 which serves as a tensioning element of the automatic door closing device for the positive closing operation thereof.

In the operation of the closing device hereinbefore described and illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, it will be apparent that when the door B has been swung to open position the parts of the device shown by full line in said Figures 1 and 2 will be automatically shifted to the position shown by dotted lines therein and in this position the spring 16 will become tensioned, so that when the hold on the door in open position is released it will be automatically moved to closed position and held firmly therein as well as tightly closed.

In Figure 3 of the drawing there is shown a slight modification ot the automatic closing device, wherein the swinging yoke 17 is identical with the yoke 5 but the pusher or thrust bar or rod 18 is of considerablyless length than the pusher or thrust rod or bar 10 and has the flattened head 19 provided with a crank 20 and likewise the tail end portion is flattened and provided with a crank 21, the latter having pivoted at 22 a link 23 the same also being pivoted at 24: to the base plate or extension '25 extending laterally from the door frame A. To the crank 20 of the head 19 is connected the link 26 the same being connected to the door 3 identically in the same manner as the link let hereinbetore described.

Connected with the crank 21 at the tail end portion of the rod or bar 18 is one end of a coiled retractile spring 2'7 the same also being connected to the door frame A in any suitable manner.

In the operation of the closing device as per the modified form shown in Figure 3 the parts thereof when the door B is closed will lie in the position shown by full line and on the shifting of the door to open position such parts will assume the position as shown by dotted lines in Figure 3 of the drawings. In this last named position the spring 27 becomes tensioned, so that when the bar is released in its open position it will automatically swing to closed position under the tension of the spring 27 and remain tightly closed.

In the use of the automatic closing device it will be apparent that ordinary hinges can be employed for the mounting of the door or other swinging structure and such device will relieve undue strain upon the hinges.

eone-ea illustrative thereof are clear and the operaion of such device is apparent.

It is of course to be understood that chan 'es, variations and modifications may be made in the device as come properly with in the scope out the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacrificing any of its advantages.

What is claimed is 1. An automatic closing device, comprising a yoke member swingingly mounted adjacent the object to he closed, a spring controlled push element pivotally secured inwardly of one end to said yoke, and a link pivotally connected at one end to the object to be closed and having its other end connected to said push element between the point of connection with said yoke and the adjacent end.

2. An automatic closing device, comprisinn' a yoke Inernloer swingingly mounted ad jacent the object to be e10sed,a push bar having each end formed to provide a crank, the said cranks extending in opposite directions, said bar being pivotally connected to said yoke adjacent one crank, a link connecting the other crank to a fixed point beside said object, a spring connected to. and controlling said bar, and a link pivotally connected at one end to said objectand havingits other end pivotally connected to the crank adjacent the yoke member.

In testimony whereof, we afiiX our signatures hereto.

FRANK H. LARKIN. FRANK G. DEAN. 

